A bipartisan group of lawmakers defeated an effort to bar Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients from buying sugary sodas with federal benefits. The House rejected the amendment sponsored by Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, during debate on the farm bill.

The vote fell 238-186 against the measure, with 183 Democrats and 55 Republicans opposing it. In favor were 156 Republicans and 29 Democrats, along with California Rep. Kevin Kiley, an independent who caucuses with Republicans. The farm bill itself advanced to the Senate after passing 224-200.

SNAP, which serves more than 40 million low-income Americans, allows benefits for food purchases but has drawn scrutiny for funding unhealthy items. Sugary sodas rank as the top purchase, accounting for about $9 billion annually, or 10% of the program's budget. Critics argue this subsidizes poor nutrition, contributing to obesity and diabetes that burden federal healthcare programs like Medicaid.

The amendment aimed to align SNAP with broader health initiatives. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has championed restrictions under the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, approving waivers for states to limit junk food purchases. At least 18 states enacted such bans effective in 2026, targeting candy, sodas, and energy drinks.

Republicans sharply criticized the outcome. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., posted on social media: "The House just voted against banning soda from SNAP. Why should the government fund your soda purchases? If SNAP recipients want to buy sugary drinks, they can do it on their own dime, not on the backs of a taxpayer-funded nutrition program."

Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., told Newsmax: "It's so disappointing that 55 Republicans can't take the first step in stopping something so obviously wrong and that hurts the moral fiber of the country." He added that it raised concerns about the nation's future. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, noted he fought for the amendment, but it failed with 55 Republicans siding with Democrats.

Some Republicans who voted no cited government overreach. Long Island Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., likened it to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's large soda ban, calling it "nanny state" policy. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., did not comment.

Studies support the potential benefits of restrictions. Research from Stanford and UC found banning sugary drinks in SNAP could cut obesity slightly and prevent thousands of diabetes cases nationwide by reducing calorie intake. A nutrition policy analyst emphasized that taxpayers pay twice: for SNAP purchases and resulting health costs.

The defeat preserves current SNAP rules nationally amid state-level changes. Advocacy groups like Heritage Action lowered scores for the 55 Republicans involved. Debate continues as the farm bill heads to the Senate.